A PROPOSED new development near Bees Creek will have lasting implications for all of rural NT if approved, say residents who fear for their way of life.

Long-time area resident Gary Colliver says the proposal to subdivide a large portion­ of land to one acre lots – well below the current five acre rule – will open the floodgates for developers looking to capitalise on rural areas. “That means anybody … can immediately apply to subdivide into one acre blocks,” he said.

“In the end it comes down to dollars. They develop it and then they bolt.”

The subdivision is being proposed by Leo Bandias.

The application before the Development Consent Authority would see his property near Bees Creek subdivided into 63 one acre lots that would then have to be serviced.

The proposal would mean the area would have to be rezoned from the current rural living designation.

Around 100 people attended a meeting with the DCA Friday to discuss the proposal, with the overwhelming majority opposed.

Independent Nelson MP Gerry Wood says the project is the latest Government attempt to “destroy” the rural lifestyle by bringing in smaller blocks and more developments.

“I don’t think this Government cares two hoots about rural people,” he said. “It cares about big developers, large block owners and development consultants.”

“They might think rural people are pretty insignificant in the big scheme of Territory politics, but they aren’t.”

Residents say their biggest concerns include noise, increased traffic, flooding issues and septic fears if the project were to be approved.

“[The development] would require an absolutely huge amount of earth works and engineering of that land,” Mr Colliver said. “People don’t want that here. The majority of the people in the rural area come out here for the rural lifestyle.”

The DCA is currently compiling a report into the proposal before submitting recommendations to the Department­ of Lands and Planning for approval.